IN his widely-read column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports on a unique annual race meeting at Laura in the Cape Country which he visited last weekend.

He also looks ahead to next weekend’s Oak Park Amateurs and the Mackay Cup meeting, comments on another Integrity sacking at Racing Queensland and forecasts an appointment to a key role at the control body that will surprise the industry.

Here is the Butts column:

 

THEY TURNED OUT IN DROVES FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING AT LAURA IN THE CAPE

THEY raced  at Laura way up in the glorious Cape Country on Saturday – on perhaps the prettiest and most northern racecourse in the land.

Oh,what a beauty!

Imagine, 2500 people attending a race meeting in possibly one of the sparsest areas of the entire country, certainly the state.

They don’t get those crowds at Randwick or Flemington some days, certainly not Brisbane on an ordinary Saturday.

But they came in droves, as they always do, and had a ball.

With their local Federal Member for Leichardt, Warren Entsch, deputizing behind the bar, the big crowd danced under the stars and swapped yarns until well into the the small hours of the morning.

They also managed to down 7133 glasses of rum ($36,000) during the night and officials reported that the consumption was only just ahead of vodka, the preferred tipple of the fairer sex up north.

Yes, they know how to party!

 

LOCAL POLITICIANS PROMISE MORE RECOGNTION AND FUNDING FOR LAURA

IT was a great race day too. And apart from the presence of the Federal Member, newly-elected MP for Cook, David Kempton, was also there.

Both politicians promised more recognition and funding for the Laura Turf Club.

Apparently the youthful Cook LNP Member is a close buddy of the new Racing Minister Steve Dixon and he has promised the give Laura a ‘push in the right direction.’ In other words get into the ear of his Cabinet colleague.

The club was quick to seize on the opportunity and request, if not demand political assistance to have a ‘stand alone’ race date so it won’t  in future have to  ‘import’ jockeys from Brisbane as it  did on Saturday .

Said outspoken president Greg Williams: “It was at great expense to bring young Jason Kropp from Brisbane at the last minute but we have to keep faith with the owners and trainers.

“Racing Queensland didn’t offer any help. They never do. Never have. They don’t even reply to us.

“A stand alone day, which we always had until Townsville interfered, is what we want,” Greg told the big crowd.

Plus perhaps a few more toilets and showers for the 2500 racegoers and campers.

And maybe a scattering of shady satellite bars to take the pressure off the very hard working honorary bar keepers should be high on the shopping list.

LAURA IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW POPULAR THESE BIG DAYS ARE IN THE BUSH

COUNTRY racing is certainly alive and well at Laura, famous for its Pioneer Cup - a trophy donated 30 years ago by the famed artist Sir Russell Drysdale who was a great  lover of the Cape country, and an avid supporter of the Coen annual race meeting.

He donated the Coen Cup, and after that club’s demise the trophy, valued at $30,000. was ‘inherited’ by Laura.

But the winning owners only have 24 hours to drink from it before it is back into the Mareeba bank vault with a little engraved shield recognizing another winner.

This year it will bare the name of Miss Rye and her trainer Paula A’Donna. And little Singaporean Nor Bin Yadi, better known by his preferred Aussie nickname of Mac.

Another highlight of the meeting was the number of kids running around having a ball. On Friday there as 110 ponies (that’s at least 110 kids) from around the district participating in various equestrian events. On Sunday it was camp drafting and rodeo.

Yes, kids are very much VIP at Laura races with jumping castles and other activities are provided especially for them.

And it’s time they were afforded the same at the so-called bigger clubs in the state, instead of being locked out on big days like lepers.

 

OAK PARK UNFORTUNATELY CLASHES WITH THE MACKAY CUP MEETING

THIS week the swags roll out at Oak Park for its big annual two-day meeting.

Unfortunately, it too clashes with Mackay Cup day, which in recent years has put a strain on available jockeys.

But Oak Park is a tradition. Many of the current members had their first bet as kids running around track. As their parents no doubt did. And probably sneaked their first alcoholic drinks as well.

And possibly a few other ‘firsts’ on the spacious Oak Park track that has been the scene for one of the country’s best known  race meetings for well over 100 years.

Where they still wear black tie and long gowns to the functions and party like there is no tomorrow.

Dare say, if the kids were barred, it would be the end of Oak Park

At Mackay the club is gearing for what looks a bumper Cup day and the only certainty is that the $50,000 Cup will be a full field judged by the nominations.

It has attracted the very best available from Rocky to Cairns and will, as usual, offer a good guide to the Townsville Cup on July 27.

Recent Rockhampton Cup winner Writer is expected to make the trip as will the runner-up Red Story who will be ridden by Shane Scriven.

Red Story was game in the Rocky Cup and is part of a two-pronged attack on Mackay by leading trainer Lyle Rowe.

His other candidate, Intertheblack, runner-up last year to Hussonet will be ridden by NSW jockey John Grisedale.

 

A SURPRISE SACKING AND AN APPOINTMENT OF A NEW OPERATIONS MANAGER AT RQ

MEANWHILE down at Deagon, headquarters of Racing Queensland, the axe continues to fall – this time, somewhat surprisingly. on the head of the investigating steward Paul McIlveen.

Of all the Integrity staff this column has had dealings with, Mr McIlveen has stood out as a man who could be approached and offer whatever help he was able.

His retrenchment (or whatever word they use) was somewhat a surprise, given the level of expertise and depth of experience in the current Queensland stewards’ panel.

BUT the appointment of the new Operations Manager is the talking point.

And no doubt will be a bigger talking point when it is officially announced.

Let’s just say  the Paul Brennan replacement is someone that has had a bit to do with racetracks in this state and his name starts with the same letters as the Wednesday Whinge.

And yes, he is a old boy from Brisbane Turf Club or Brisbane Racing Club (as it is known these days) as well.

COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.

TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..